A bill that creates a new category of 鈥榬ural emergency hospitals鈥� in Florida is awaiting the governor鈥檚 signature.
The Legislature the measure over to the governor鈥檚 office Tuesday. If approved, rural hospitals will be eligible to receive additional federal funding.
鈥淭he intent was to give rural hospitals another option in the event that they are struggling financially," said Mary Mayhew, the President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association.
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Since last year, emergency care facilities in rural communities have been taking that gives rural hospitals extra money for the services they provide to low-income patients who have Medicaid insurance coverage. But states must first grant them a license to operate as a rural emergency hospital.
Under SB 644, hospitals must provide emergency and observation care and outpatient services that that do not exceed a length of stay of 24 hours.
That鈥檚 important for Gadsden County Commissioner Brenda Holt, who lost her child years ago to heart failure.
鈥淎ny parent that lives this far from a hospital has some major concerns and they should," explained Holt. "You鈥檙e paying your taxes, you鈥檙e doing everything鈥攕o why can't we have good health care.鈥�
The law goes into effect on July 1.
